During the period from January 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023, the Immigration Department granted approval to 54.3% (over 470,000) of the 8.66 lakh study permit applicants accepted by designated learning institutions (DLIs), as per the report.
With a total international intake, Indian students constitute 41 percent in Canada, numbering over 2.20 lakh. However, nearly half of the international students faced visa rejections post-university acceptances, as per data scrutinized by the Toronto Star.
The analysis revealed that from January 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023, the Immigration Department approved 54.3 percent (more than 4.70 lakh) of the 8.66 lakh study permit applicants accepted by designated learning institutions (DLIs).
A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is an educational institution authorized by a provincial or territorial government to accommodate international students. It’s important to note that all elementary and secondary schools in Canada are considered DLIs.
In a June 2023 report by the Investigative Journalism Foundation, it was revealed that approximately 40 percent of student visa applications from India faced rejections, citing “other” and “unspecified” reasons since 2011.
Canada is home to more than 2.20 lakh Indian students, constituting 41 percent of its overall international student population. According to the ‘Beyond Beds & Boundaries: Indian Student Mobility Report, 2023,’ these students collectively spend an estimated $11.7 billion, with $6 billion allocated to academic fees, $3 billion for accommodation, and $2.7 billion on other living necessities.
The Toronto Star’s report underscored that certain study permit applications are declined due to applicants’ inability to meet financial obligations for their studies. Rejections may also stem from concerns about applicants’ intentions to leave Canada after their visa expires, incomplete submissions, payment omissions, or the submission of fraudulent documents.
Public colleges tended to experience higher rejection rates compared to public universities. Additionally, private institutions had higher rejection rates, even though applicants for private institutions comprised less than 10 percent of the overall applications, as stated in the report.
“The rapidly expanding international student program has come under scrutiny due to assertive recruitment campaigns by the post-secondary education sector and unregulated foreign agents. Increasingly, migrants view studying in Canada as a pathway to work and attain permanent residence,” highlighted the report.
Furthermore, Canada’s Immigration Department has implemented multiple measures in recent months to scrutinize student applications and prevent fraud. For instance, in December 2023, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) would need to directly confirm each applicant’s letter of acceptance with the IRCC.
For the fall 2024 semester, the IRCC plans to introduce a “recognized institution” framework, aiming to benefit post-secondary DLIs by setting higher standards for services, support, and outcomes for international students.
By MediaBites
